A day is a miniature eternity

Ralph Waldo Emerson [oh I know, don’t you just love him?] said “A day is a miniature eternity”. The problem is it is so miniature. Of course when I focus on how short a day is and how much I have to do, there are times, I must admit, that I spin my wheels and panic.

Lord Chesterfield commented : “The less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in. One yawns, one procrastinates, one can do it when one will, and therefore, one seldom does it at all; whereas those who have a great deal of business must always buckle to it; and then they always find time enough to do it”. I suppose that is just another version of the line my parents always used on me: “You know what they say, Kate….if you want something done, ask a busy person”.  Yeah, yeah, yeah I’d mutter—because I had just been griping that I had too much to do. They didn’t sympathize, they urged me forward. Wise people.

So what do we find? James Russell Lowell was correct: “One day, with life and heart, is more than time enough to find a world”. Really? One day? But [whining] my things to do list is so long! Oh, yes—I can keep on slogging forward. If I have accomplished things today—and handled my day prayerfully with good grace—it will be a day well lived. As a child I just loved the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson said it well: “Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all life really means”.

That reminds me of a scene in the movie Facing the Giants. (If you haven’t seen it, see if your library has it, or download it or whatever. It is a wonderful, wonderful movie). The coach is attempting to drive an important lesson home. The lesson, don’t quit. Ask yourself if you can keep going for just one more play, or just a few more yards. By doing that, you accomplish a LOT. (If you haven’t seen it, see if your library has it, or download it or whatever. It is a wonderful, wonderful movie).

Today will have laughter, joy, hard work, a beautiful sunrise, a breathtaking sunset, and my beloved family to begin and end my day with. I know I can—yeah–perennial optimist girl said that. There, I’m done–no more quotes! Remember: I am lecturing to myself and trying to give myself the oomph to push myself forward—and remain accountable to whoever is reading my blog. I wish you steadfastness.